While at home, we started joking about home schooling, and tried to have the childrens do some reading math music and writing everyday. One morning on a late delay (Simon & Anna were with us, waiting for bus) the childrens even played school. We took some walks in the snow, but they don’t like it. I was happy that MsS and I got to walk through the woods, everyone else was cold and headed home. They did coloring and drawing contests, they were playing board games together, MsS & I tried to make “slime” and “ubluck” (pro-tip, cornstarch and water, left in cupboard, covered, will make several colorful molds), of course the played on electronics, they all will play “RoBlox” together, I played FortNite duos with the boys,…

…and from aboot a month ago… the Song-of-the-About-A-Month-Ago

The Hu – “Yuve Yuve Yu” I like the combination of traditional instruments and rock, I like the lyrics,

MrC told me, while crying “I’m the dumbest kid in my class.” I tried to cheer him up, I tried to tell him, you’re behind and that’s partially parents fault, but we can get caught up, I know you can, and school is a lot more fun, and a lot easier if you are caught up. A few days later, I came home late from school, depressed because I’m behind, and he happened to still be awake, smiling, giving me a hug, and cheering me up.

MsS wants to go to a horse camp. She is still interested in stories from when she was little at bedtime. She has a stuffed animal (Actually, many…but she recently gifted dozens of them, and narrowing down her collection.) the stuffed animal we call Evie. And for some reason I decided that Evie, like Groot (never watched movie, or read the comics) but Evie can only say her name. And she’s spaz at bedtime. The other night she bounced out into the snow.

MrG is missing basketball. A few times, when there’s not snow on the court, we will go and play, but he usually wants to leave when other kids his age show up. Today he was very distraught about his ability. He will be trying out for a spring select team, and I think he’s nervous.

Last night MyBetterHalf and I left the childrens and went to local, very crowded, very warm, very narrow seats, theater to watch Bohemian Rhapsody.

I was alright.

Returned home, remembering one of my fav songs of when I was their age, and they watched the video for “Radio Ga-Ga”. I didn’t watch, I just listened. Most of my youth, I did not have MTV, so I listened to radio, and made mix-tapes of favorite songs, often waiting an hour for my song, and getting grumpy at DJ talking over it.

So here I am, in the middle way, having had twenty years-Twenty years largely wasted, the years of l’entre deux guerres-Trying to use words, and every attemptIs a wholy new start, and a different kind of failureBecause one has only learnt to get the better of wordsFor the thing one no longer has to say, or the way in whichOne is no longer disposed to say it.

MsSqueaky read it, and wanted me to read it. The introduction, she had just gone to bed, so I went in and said “I’m hooked.” The first chapter, nice, I’m sure she wasn’t sleeping yet, so went to tell her “I’m really liking it so far”.

I really enjoyed it. I loved learning new things about jellyfish, I liked how sections were started with a “how to do a science report”, I loved the main character and her voice and the choices she made were totally in character, I liked the conflict with others, not because anyone was bad, but just different. I wish I had a science teacher like the one in the book. I hope I can be as awesome as the parents. I like how the story was born of a rejected magazine article, LOL. And…I’m glad I don’t have to go back to middle school ever again.

MsS and I chatted about the book today while walking in the snow.

A few quotes, just to give a hint of the flavor of the book, and I’m just flipping pages, I don’t have a favorite passage, but in no particular order, here are some examples of the text.

MsSqueaky had a combined band concert, sixth graders from five schools, then the Middle School band… and then the HS drumline brought in the HS marching band. The middle school band director was speaking to the 6th graders (and their parents) “…yes, you will be busy, but you can do it…” and asked her middle school band how many did sports, drama, honors classes, had good grades, other activities…and most did. A few of her students gave testimonials… band is like a family… it is work but it is worth it.

MrGrunty and I went to a local HS basketball game. The JV team was finishing up their game, and we saw a half court buzzer beater to win it! MrG said he doesn’t want to play for the team, because the coach was yelling at his players.

MrCuddles and I have been playing duos on FortNite. It’s fun. We had a game, and there were only three left… we were so close to winning, but the last person elimated both of us. MrC freaked out, started blaming me… I smiled, and told him it was a good game, we will do better later…. “sports”.